The Golden Gate Bridge. Fisherman’s Wharf. And the best Chinatown in the United States. Also there’s North Beach with its amazing Italian food and the best burritos in the Mission. There is so much worth exploring. Plus, the shopping is amazing and Napa and Sonoma are just a few hours drive away (tip: try to avoid rush hour).

I love the city so much that I actually committed to going to Hastings for law school before changing my mind and coming home to the University of Hawaii. Anyway – here are a few of my favorite places and spaces to visit while being a tourist in SF. 

Where to Eat

• Aster SF – Fancy modern-American with a Michelin star. Four courses for $75 plus $42 for wine pairings. A casual-chic, convivial atmosphere. Reminded me a lot of Senia, one of our new favorites at home on Oahu. A few photos from our dinner here.

• Hitachino – For Beer + Wagyu Beef. So good, and in walking distance of the Grand Hyatt (about 10 minutes away).

• La Taqueria– Tacos and burritos in the Mission. Some say they’re the best in the city.

• Tartine Bakery – Delicious baked goods and a banana cream pie to die for. Be prepared to wait (and drool) in line.

• Golden Gate Tap Room– Tons of beers on tap and lots of TVs to watch sports. Right around the corner from the Grand Hyatt. Try the chicken wings, they’re good!

• Slanted Door – Fancy Vietnamese in the Ferry Building. I prefer dining at lunch (the light and the view are gorgeous) and with a glass of wine in hand (because vacation).

• R&G Lounge – Cantonese food in Chinatown. Be like Bourdain and go for the salt and pepper dungeoness crab. Don’t expect friendly service, but trust me – it’s worth it.

• Pizza Orgasmica – I discovered this delicious pizza in college, on one of the weekenders. Grab a slice if you’re in the Marina or order delivery from the comfort of your hotel room. So, so good.

What to Do in SF

• Explore Chinatown, where much of The Joy Luck Club took place (if you haven’t read it, do yourself a favor and get it). Take a Chinatown walking tour; most of them end with a bajillion-course yummy dim-sum lunch.

• Check out the Exploratorium, a children’s science museum on the Embarcadero. I can’t wait to take Baby J once she is old enough to appreciate it. My trip there in elementary school sparked a lifelong interest in science.

• Mellow out in the Haight. Visit the Grateful Dead house; eat some Ben and Jerry’s; buy some tie-dye. Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.

• Take a stroll around Golden Gate Park. Join a drum circle. Ride the merry-go-round. Revel in the gardens.

• Go to a Niners game in brand-new Levi’s Stadium, or catch a Raiders game before they leave Oakland for Las Vegas. I recommend getting club seats for the best and most hassle-free experience.

• Do the touristy things if you’ve never done them before – take a ride on a cable car; go to Fisherman’s Wharf and eat a bowl of chowder; go see the Full House house.

Where to Stay in SF

Virtuoso affiliates in San Francisco include two Fairmonts, a Four Seasons, a Loews, a Ritz-Carlton, a St. Regis, the Taj Campton Place, and the Palace Hotel.

We’ve previously checked into the Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel (a Virtuoso property) and at the Grand Hyatt Union Square (my review here). Both were in the Union Square area. Union Square is known as a touristy area, and while I hate being labeled a tourist as much as the next person, there are also tons of restaurants, bars, and shops in Union Square. Plus, it’s a good base for exploring the rest of the city: it’s just a short walk away from Chinatown, North Beach, the Ferry Building, and Fisherman’s Wharf.